Parental care issues in the European Union
31.3.2016
Question for written answer E-002629-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nikos Androulakis (S&D)
Greek family law, as it has been applied customarily and operates today, lags significantly behind international best practices. In particular, fathers are often denied their right to joint custody, while the institution of the alternating residence of children in the event of the parents' separation does not exist. Furthermore, there is no provision for the joint exercise of parental care overall after the divorce or the estrangement of spouses, or the operation of family courts.
Bearing in mind that the above legal regime may pose issues of equal treatment and discrimination based on gender and problems regarding the free movement of persons and the fact that the Ministry of Justice is reportedly considering whether to proceed with the modernisation of Greek family law, will the Commission say:
- —Is it aware of the impending reform of family law in Greece and particularly legislation on parental care?
- —Could it present a comparative table of the various legal frameworks in force in the European Union?
- —In the context of judicial cooperation in civil matters, does it consider that the submission of a legislative proposal is needed in accordance with Article 81, paragraphs 1 and 3, TFEU?